Flameless Friction Heater

ABSTRACT

A flameless friction heater is a device for generating both heated air and hydronic heat within a single unit. A friction-generating assembly is positioned within an interior casing that is positioned within an exterior casing. The friction-generating assembly generates heat as a rotor disc is rotated against a friction clamp by a shaft. The rotor disc and the friction clamp are submerged within a quantity of water. A fan circulates air through the exterior casing and the air is heated as the air passes by the interior casing. The air is circulated from a first open end to a second open end of the exterior casing. The device may include a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit that are utilized to transport portions of the quantity of fluid into and out of the interior casing after the quantity of fluid is heated.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/132,133 filed on Mar. 12, 2015. The current application is filed on Mar. 14, 2016 while Mar. 12, 2015 was on a weekend.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a heating device. More specifically, the present invention is a flameless friction heater that is able to produce both heated air and hydronic heat within a single unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional heating units utilize a flame in order to generate high heat output. These heating units can produce heated air as well as hydronic heat, but these capabilities are generally not integrated into a single unit. Additionally, the presence of a flame can often be impractical or unsafe in various applications. Flameless heating units are capable of providing heat without the presence of an open flame. However, conventional models of flameless heating units typically do not generate sufficient heat to satisfy requirements. Additionally, many conventional heating units require a large number of moving parts in order to generate heat.

The present invention is a flameless friction heater that is utilized to produce both heated air and hydronic heat. The present invention provides both heated air and hydronic heat within a single unit. The present invention additionally requires minimal moving parts in order to generate heat relative to conventional heating units of similar functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the electronic and electrical connections of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the interior casing and the shaft.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention with a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit taken along line C-C of FIG. 7.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a flameless friction heater that produces both heated air and hydronic heat within a single unit. The present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6 and comprises an exterior casing 1, an interior casing 4, a shaft 7, a fan 9, and a friction-generating assembly 10.

The exterior casing 1 is an enclosure through which air may be circulated in order to heat the air. The interior casing 4 is housed within the exterior casing 1 and in turn the friction-generating assembly 10 is housed within the interior casing 4. The friction-generating assembly 10 generates heat through friction and comprises a rotor disc 11, a friction clamp 15, and a quantity of fluid 16.

The shaft 7 rotatably traverses into the exterior casing 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 7 is connected to a motor, turbine, or similar device that is capable of providing rotational force to the shaft 7. The rotor disc 11 is concentrically mounted to a first end 8 of the shaft 7, allowing the rotor disc 11 to rotate along with the shaft 7 when rotational force is applied to the shaft 7. The friction-generating assembly 10 is positioned within the interior casing 4. As such, the heat generated by the friction-generating assembly 10 is centralized within the interior casing 4 and air circulating past the interior casing 4 is heated.

The friction clamp 15 is pressed against the rotor disc 11, generating flameless heat through frictional force when the rotor disc 11 is rotated against the friction clamp 15. The friction clamp 15 is fixed within the interior casing 4, enabling the generation of frictional force when the rotor disc 11 is rotated against the friction clamp 15. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotor disc 11 comprises a first surface 12, a second surface 13, and a lateral surface 14. The first surface 12 and the second surface 13 are opposite surfaces of the rotor disc 11 and as such are positioned opposite to each other. The lateral surface 14 is positioned in between the first surface 12 and the second surface 13, joining the first surface 12 to the second surface 13 and forming the circular design of the rotor disc 11. The friction clamp 15 is pressed against the first surface 12, the second surface 13, and the lateral surface 14, enabling frictional force to be generated through the three surfaces. The present invention further comprises a friction adjustment switch 23 that is utilized to increase or decrease the frictional force generated by the rotor disc 11 rotating against the friction clamp 15. The friction adjustment switch 23 is mechanically coupled to the friction clamp 15, allowing the user to manually adjust the generated frictional force.

The rotor disc 11 and the friction clamp 15 are submerged within the quantity of fluid 16 as shown in FIG. 6. Additionally, the rotor disc 11 and the friction clamp 15 are in thermal contact with the quantity of fluid 16. Heat generated through frictional force generated by the rotation of the rotor disc 11 against the friction clamp 15 is thus transferred to the quantity of fluid 16 within the interior casing 4. The interior casing 4 is hermetically sealed within the exterior casing 1 to prevent leakage of the quantity of fluid 16 into the exterior casing 1 during use of the present invention.

The fan 9 circulates air through the exterior casing 1 in order to heat the air as the air passes by the interior casing 4. The fan 9 is rotatably connected to the shaft 7 to allow the fan 9 to rotate and circulate the air through the exterior casing 1. The fan 9 is positioned external to the interior casing 4 in order to ensure that the air being circulated through the exterior casing 1 is heated as the air passes by the interior casing 4. The heated air is then able to exit the exterior casing 1. The fan 9 is preferably positioned within the exterior casing 1 to enable air to be drawn into the exterior casing 1 from the environment and circulated through the exterior casing 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fan 9 is positioned adjacent to a first open end 2 of the exterior casing 1, allowing the fan 9 to draw air into the exterior casing 1 from the first open end 2. The interior casing 4 is positioned in between the fan 9 and a second open end 3 of the exterior casing 1. Air is circulated through the exterior casing 1 from the first open end 2 to the second end and the air is heated as the air passes by the interior casing 4. Various embodiments of the present invention may include a vent on the first open end 2 and the second open end 3 that may be closed or opened in order to correspondingly cover or uncover the first open end 2 and the second open end 3.

The present invention further comprises a control unit 17. The control unit 17 is utilized to regulate the behavior of the present invention as well as to process and execute user commands. The control unit 17 is electronically connected to the fan 9, allowing the user to turn the fan 9 on or off in order to enable or disable air circulation through the exterior casing 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 17 is electronically connected to the device providing rotational force to the shaft 7 as well. The present invention further comprises a digital display 18 that is utilized to display settings and metrics of the present invention to the user. User commands may be provided through at least one user input 19. The at least one user input 19 is a physical input device such as a button or switch that allows the user to input a command to the control unit 17. The digital display 18 and the at least one user input 19 are externally positioned on the exterior casing 1 for visibility and ease of access for the user. The digital display 18 and the at least one user input 19 are electronically connected to the control unit 17, allowing the commands inputted through the at least one user input 19 to be processed and executed by the control unit 17. The control unit 17 is additionally able to regulate the content that is displayed on the digital display 18.

The present invention further comprises a temperature sensor 20. The temperature sensor 20 is able to monitor the temperature within the present invention. The temperature sensor 20 is electronically connected to the control unit 17, allowing the control unit 17 to process the reading from the temperature sensor 20 as well as output the reading to the digital display 18. The temperature sensor 20 is preferably positioned within the interior casing 4. This enables the temperature sensor 20 to monitor the temperature of the friction-generating assembly 10 within the interior casing 4. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may include additional temperature sensors positioned throughout the present invention. For example, additional temperature sensors may be positioned within the exterior casing 1. Sensors that are able to detect and measure various other metrics such as pressure may be present as well.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 and with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the present invention further comprises a first fluid conduit 21 and a second fluid conduit 22 for use when it is desirable to heat the quantity of fluid 16 as well as transport a portion of the quantity of fluid 16 into and out of the interior casing 4. The interior casing 4 comprises an inlet 5 and an outlet 6 as well in this embodiment of the present invention. The inlet 5 and the outlet 6 allow a portion of the quantity of fluid 16 to enter and exit the interior casing 4 through the first fluid conduit 21 and the second fluid conduit 22. The first fluid conduit 21 and the second fluid conduit 22 traverse through the interior casing 4 and the exterior casing 1, allowing the first fluid conduit 21 and the second fluid conduit 22 to transport a portion of the quantity of fluid 16 out of both the interior casing 4 and the exterior casing 1 without the quantity of fluid 16 leaking into the exterior casing 1. The first fluid conduit 21 is in fluid communication with the interior casing 4 through the inlet 5. The first fluid conduit 21 thus serves as an entrance for a portion of the quantity of fluid 16 entering the interior casing 4 through the inlet 5. The second fluid conduit 22 is in fluid communication with the interior casing 4 through the outlet 6. As such, the second fluid conduit 22 serves as an exit for a portion of the quantity of fluid 16 exiting the interior casing 4.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flameless friction heater comprises: an exterior casing; an interior casing; a shaft; a fan; a friction-generating assembly; the friction-generating assembly comprises a rotor disc, a friction clamp, and a quantity of fluid; the shaft rotatably traversing into the exterior casing; the rotor disc being concentrically mounted to a first end of the shaft; the friction-generating assembly being positioned within the interior casing; the friction clamp being pressed against the rotor disc the friction clamp being fixed within the interior casing; the rotor disc and the friction clamp being submerged within the quantity of fluid; the rotor disc and the friction clamp being in thermal contact with the quantity of fluid; the interior casing being hermetically sealed within the exterior casing; the fan being rotatably connected to the shaft; and the fan being positioned external to the interior casing.
 2. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the rotor disc comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; the first surface and the second surface being positioned opposite to each other; the lateral surface being positioned in between the first surface and the second surface; and the friction clamp being pressed against the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral surface.
 3. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a control unit; and the control unit being electronically connected to the fan.
 4. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 3 further comprises: a digital display; at least one user input; the digital display and the at least one user input being externally positioned on the exterior casing; and the digital display and the at least one user input being electronically connected to the control unit.
 5. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 3 further comprises: a temperature sensor; the temperature sensor being electronically connected to the control unit; and the temperature sensor being positioned within the interior casing.
 6. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the fan being positioned within the exterior casing.
 7. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the fan being positioned adjacent to a first open end of the exterior casing; and the interior casing being positioned in between the fan and a second open end of the exterior casing, wherein air is circulated through the exterior casing from the first open end to the second open end.
 8. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a first fluid conduit; a second fluid conduit the interior casing comprises an inlet and an outlet; the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit traversing through the interior casing and the exterior casing; the first fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the inlet; and the second fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the outlet.
 9. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a friction adjustment switch; and the friction adjustment switch being mechanically coupled to the friction clamp.
 10. A flameless friction heater comprises: an exterior casing; an interior casing; a shaft; a fan; a friction-generating assembly; a first fluid conduit; a second fluid conduit; the friction-generating assembly comprises a rotor disc, a friction clamp, and a quantity of fluid; the interior casing comprises an inlet and an outlet; the shaft rotatably traversing into the exterior casing; the rotor disc being concentrically mounted to a first end of the shaft; the friction-generating assembly being positioned within the interior casing; the friction clamp being pressed against the rotor disc the friction clamp being fixed within the interior casing; the rotor disc and the friction clamp being submerged within the quantity of fluid; the rotor disc and the friction clamp being in thermal contact with the quantity of fluid; the interior casing being hermetically sealed within the exterior casing; the fan being rotatably connected to the shaft; the fan being positioned external to the interior casing; the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit traversing through the interior casing and the exterior casing; the first fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the inlet; and the second fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the interior casing through the outlet.
 11. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the rotor disc comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface; the first surface and the second surface being positioned opposite to each other; the lateral surface being positioned in between the first surface and the second surface; and the friction clamp being pressed against the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral surface.
 12. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: a control unit; and the control unit being electronically connected to the fan.
 13. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 12 further comprises: a digital display; at least one user input; the digital display and the at least one user input being externally positioned on the exterior casing; and the digital display and the at least one user input being electronically connected to the control unit.
 14. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 12 further comprises: a temperature sensor; the temperature sensor being electronically connected to the control unit; and the temperature sensor being positioned within the interior casing.
 15. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the fan being positioned within the exterior casing.
 16. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the fan being positioned adjacent to a first open end of the exterior casing; and the interior casing being positioned in between the fan and a second open end of the exterior casing, wherein air is circulated through the exterior casing from the first open end to the second open end.
 17. The flameless friction heater as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: a friction adjustment switch; and the friction adjustment switch being mechanically coupled to the friction clamp. 